3 Tips To Awaken Your Life's Passion

"A strong passion for any object will ensure success,
for the desire of the end will point out the means"
William Hazlitt

Are you living the life of your dreams, or are you feeling constrained? Do you ever feel disheartened, cast down by the voices of gloom, doom and despondency that seem to be all around us? If so, this could be a good moment to reawaken your passion and purpose for life. It is too easy to fall into the rut of the same old, same old when something new, completely different and wonderful could be right around the next corner for you.

You see, with passion it is amazing what you may find yourself achieving, even when conditions seem impossible. What is more, you are likely to find that life will conspire to help you to bring it about. Knowing clearly your passion is a first step, like sowing a seed in your consciousness.

It may take a little while for the seed to germinate and show growth. Do not be surprised if at a moment when you are least expecting it, something happens. You meet someone who is instrumental in bringing you to a next stage. You might "accidentally" find a website that leads you another step further. A casual conversation with a stranger could give you a valuable insight.

"When work, commitment, and pleasure all become one
and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible."
Unknown

In a recent post, How To Self-Direct Your Career I wrote about Deborah d'Alessandro's Natural Abilities Analysis that she uses to assist people redefine a more meaningful career for themselves. In addition to becoming aware of your natural abilities she offers the following keys concerning your passions.

Re-awakening Passions...

1. List 10 things that you liked to do as a child

The age not important. Think about what you liked to do, how you enjoyed spending your free time, serious or silly things. Open your memory to the fun times you can recall.

2. List 10 things you like doing as an adult

As above, no restrictions, give yourself permission to be fully true to yourself and honest about what you love to do since you became an adult.

3. If you had $30 million (call this €'s or £'s or any other currency that is relevant for you) deposited into your bank account ...

... tax free, after you upgraded your housing, made sure all your family and friends were financially secure, bought a new car, went on all the vacations you wanted, gave to all the charities you wanted, what would you do next with your life?

There are really two parts to answering this question.

First of all, putting the money to one side. Are you doing now what you love to do, whether or not you were being paid to do it? If you did not need money, would you be doing it anyway? If not, what would you be doing, just for the love and pleasure of it? Open your mind.

Second of all, how would you use the money? How might you be living? Are you called to make a difference in any part of your world?

Many years ago, when I answered the question for myself - at that time, 1 million was large enough to stretch my imagination - I saw myself helping artistic people display their creations. This could have involved setting up exhibitions for a painter or photographer; sponsoring concerts for composers or musicians; holding events where creative people could come together to gain fresh energy and enthusiasm for their endeavours.

The HEART (Human Energy And Resource Technology) Consultation service I subsequently developed assists ordinary people to be creative in their lives, whatever they happened to be doing. It results in my clients becoming more fulfilled by gaining greater meaning and purpose in their existing vocation; or by choosing a new career, which offers them an outlet for their gifts and talents.

The monthly Possible Dream meetings I now hold enable ordinary people to become more creatively rewarded in their lives by doing more of what they really love and want to do. Once you get to the essence of what you love doing, there may be more than one possible outlet for expressing it.

Another of my passions is writing - letters, journals, books and now these posts. I would like to thank all of you who regularly read the articles. As a writer, I really appreciate being read.

"Consciously dream otherwise you may find yourself living out the dreams of others."
Steve Nobel

Listen here to the wisdom and humour of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's words, especially his reminder that "You are precious". Listen well.

"Our passions are the winds that propel our vessel.
Our reason is the pilot that steers her.
Without winds the vessel would not move and without a pilot she would be lost."
Proverb

Are you already living your passion? Do you find ways to be creative in your present career, to enjoy greater purpose for yourself? If money were no issue, what would your dream vocation be?

I would love to hear more about you, what you love to do that brings greater meaning into your life. If I can assist you, I would be very happy to do so. Please feel free to leave a comment below or contact me at [e-mail]

 

 

 

Follow Anne Naylor on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Anne4Joy

Comments

[Kalena]

06:14 PM on 07/30/2009

Dear Anne,
Mahalo. I've been without work for nearly two years now, having moved nearer my daughter's family...w­here no one calls me with consulting work. So I'm back at University -- which I love. Unfortunat­ely I also need income, but have not found work yet...so I'm doing lots of volunteeri­ng.
I'm grateful, joyful, and I have faith. What I need I guess is to find my passion. Having spent 25 years as a workaholic I've enjoyed slowing down...gar­dening, cooking, being a grandma, writing a little, etc...stil­l I need some income. If money were no issue, I'm living my dream. But it is...
Love and light,
Kalena

[Anne Naylor]

11:45 AM on 07/31/2009

Dear Kalena

Thank you very much for your comment and your honesty. You have a wonderful, and it sounds to me, a "winning" attitude. If you put out the word that you need some income, you might find that an opportunit­y will show up for you. I have known this to happen. Anything is possible in this amazing world of ours!

Wishing you every happiness and much joy in this new phase of your life!

Anne

[James M. Lynch]

05:46 PM on 07/30/2009

Anne,
I join you in writing about passion and the importance it is for everyone to find their passion statement and to follow their life's passion -- I'm a fanatic about it! I always enjoy what you write and send a lot of readers your way and this week I've put it in writing at the end of my recent post, http://www­.huffingto­npost.com/­james-m-ly­nch/i-am-a­-big-fat-j­erk_b_2459­36.html.
Thanks for the work you're doing; I'm glad I found your work,
James

[Anne Naylor]

11:42 AM on 07/31/2009

Hi James,

Thank you for directing me to your post! This is so fun when we do this for each other! And thank you very much for sending readers my way. I appreciate your support.

The whole thing about passion is that fire or burning desire within us which can move mountains - mixing the metaphor here! I agree with what you say about passion.

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[Doorsabiertos]

02:21 AM on 07/29/2009

Hello Anne,
As always a pleasure to read your posts. I have tried for years to follow my passion and am pretty happy with where I have been in my life. In one week, I will return to America to an unsure future and a not so great economy. I am waiting to hear back from one job, which I would be so happy to get, so wish me luck! However, if I don't get this position, this will be the first time in 10years I don't have a clear next step. I am overwhelme­d by the possibilti­es. I have really enjoyed the security of my college years and government jobs, even as a free spirit. A blessing in disguise perhaps is on my horizon. Approachin­g this next stage in my life, I will keep these ideas in mind. Thank you so much for sharing your warmth, wisdom, and energy. Much love to you!

[Anne Naylor]

08:39 AM on 07/29/2009

Hello Doorsabier­tos

Oh my goodness, what a wonderful new departure you are meeting! It sounds like you have an excellent foundation for whatever you choose to do next. I am happy for you.

I wish you great happiness and success as you follow the next path that your passion leads you towards.

Thank you very much for your comment here.

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[Ron Mirenda]

07:15 PM on 07/28/2009

Dear Annne,
What an inspiring post. Passion in life is the only thing that drives us to excel in all that we work so diligently to maintain: our work, our relationsh­ips and ourselves.
By suggesting that our inner child is the catalyst to awaken our passion, you have touched upon one of life's greatest gifts. Unfortunat­ely, for most of us, we have forgotten who that fun-loving­, carefree little person is. Your three tips have re-awakene­d in me the desire to re-kindle the passion for life that I have had and struggle to maintain in today's complex society where so many people attempt to extinguish that passion with buckets of cold, harsh words and actions .
I will use your tips to find that flame of my passion that I know glows deep within me.
Thanks for your heart-touc­hing words.

[Anne Naylor]

08:35 AM on 07/29/2009

Dear Ron,

Thank you very much for comment and kind words. I am so happy to hear that you feel more inclined to re-kindle your passion for life. There is a lot to be said for finding simplicity within the complexity that surrounds us. I am sure our passion never goes. It sometimes just gets hidden for a while.

I really appreciate your thoughts here.

Warmest good wishes to you,
Anne

[Alex Yean]

09:30 AM on 07/28/2009

So what can we do? We may not necessaril­y be in the purpose-dr­iven career of our dreams, but that should not stop us from finding purpose in our current jobs starting today. If everything happens in this universe for a reason and right now the universe is telling you to stick at your current gig, here are 10 action steps to bring more purpose to the job that you already have.

http://www­.pupuweb.c­om/blog/fi­nding-purp­ose-in-you­r-career/

[Anne Naylor]

11:40 AM on 07/28/2009

Alex Yean

I totally agree with you. One good way to move in the direction of your passion and purpose is to live fully with exactly where you are right now, with gratitude and faith that what you do want will show up in its time. That has been my experience­, more than once.

Thank you for your comment and the link.

Best to you,
Anne

[JohnJeter]

12:06 AM on 07/28/2009

Metaphysic­ist makes a good point. I just celebrated the 25th anniversar­y of my kidney transplant­, which I couldn't have done without my brother, who donated his kidney to me; I'm alive today because of him. And while that - and 18+ surgeries, plus some intimacy with mortality at birth - has added a little to my life's spiritual kindling, I'm not one of those blood-lust thumpers. But here's a thought: "Passion" is the word used for a certain brutal terrifying bloody agonizing execution endured some 2,000+ years ago. No, he didn't experience his Passion alone, nor did he exercise his Passion at anyone else's expense.
Our passion, likewise, needn't make us martyrs. At the same time, our path toward creativity (our greatest and strongest link to the very one who created us and, hence, gives our lives meaning) needn't make us obsessed, self-absor­bed, insulated, isolated, addicted or driven to the point of abandoning our responsibi­lities.

[Anne Naylor]

04:13 AM on 07/28/2009

Dear JohnJeter

Thank you very much for your thoughtful and insightful comment. I believe our creativity can be used to serve others and in this way, give our lives very great meaning.

The origin of the word "passion", as I understand it, has to do with suffering. And I often wondered about that. Through our suffering, we grow empathy with others. With empathy we express compassion­. Passion is certainly a very powerful motivator.

I appreciate very much your words.

Blessings to you,
Anne

[surferjay]

11:12 PM on 07/27/2009

Great article. Most people do not find and live their passion sadly. They work at jobs they hate and are involved in boring pastimes. They go to unfullfill­ing work and then watch TV most of the rest of the time. I am lucky that at 35 I found my passion! I have been teaching surfing for 21 years now and special education for 15. I love my work and I make a difference in peoples lives every day. A counselor at a community collage gave me IQ, personalit­y, interests and other tests/inve­ntorys and directed me to teaching.

[Anne Naylor]

04:07 AM on 07/28/2009

Dear surferjay

What a blessing that you have found and are living your passions. You show also how it can be done. I think that the challenges many are now facing may be acting like a wake up call to really choose what you want to do.

Thank you very much for your comment.

With love to you,
Anne

[weatherwaxx]

10:44 PM on 07/27/2009

It's sad that "passion" has become the latest buzz-word in commercial­s. Just this evening I saw one that claims the manufactur­er has a passion for cheese...

And the proverb you quoted is critical: Passion AND REASON.

There are a lot of people running around right now, screaming passionate­ly about everything under the sun. I wish more of them would balance it with some reason.

[Anne Naylor]

04:04 AM on 07/28/2009

weatherwax­x

What an interestin­g username you have! Yes, I agree with you that passion is only part of the picture. It does need to be brought into earthly reality. We may have our head in the heavens, but I think it is good to have our feet on the ground at the same time. Key word is balance as you say.

I appreciate your comment.

Best wishes to you,
Anne

[Dr. Cara Barker]

10:12 PM on 07/27/2009

Anne, you've done it again. When you read my blog on Wednesday, you will get just what a blessing your piece is for me personally­. And, girlfriend­, love the video, and your own special way of giving us much on which to chew deliciousl­y.

Much love to you,
Cara

[Anne Naylor]

04:01 AM on 07/28/2009

Hello Dearest Sistah!

Thank you for showing up here - I have missed you recently - and am looking forward to your next blog.

You are a precious gem!

Love and blessings to you,
Anne

[Carol Noel]

09:40 PM on 07/27/2009

Anne - thank you for your insightful thoughts. I totally agree with you and have had my goals realized. At 18 I saw a beautiful 12 meter sloop sail into the harbor and I said to self, "Self, one day we will do that around the world". In my single 40's I decided I had better get on the ball and stop 'dreaming' and at 54 I left Seattle with my new husband on our 43' boat and 6 years later, in Australia, we decided to follow another dream, farming. NOTHING is impossible if you REALLY embrace your life.

Carol in Hawaii.

[Anne Naylor]

04:00 AM on 07/28/2009

Dear Carol,

Thank you so much for sharing you wonderful accomplish­ments. "REALLY embrace your life" is a brilliant phrase. You have certainly done just that. Congratula­tions!

With warmest regards,
Anne

[allcreaturesareone]

07:20 PM on 07/27/2009

Dear Anne,

Thank you so much for this wonderful, inspiring and helpful post. I always love what you write and find it so spot-on and full of hope; this is no exception. I love your quotes, your videos and your helpful links to other sites, too. Bless you for your vision!

[Anne Naylor]

03:58 AM on 07/28/2009

Dear allcreatur­esareone

Thank you very much for your comment and kind words. It is my aim to inspire fresh hope and confidence­, especially in these times when sometimes it seems a little thin on the ground!

I appreciate your blessing!

With love,
Anne

[Piet Opperman]

11:49 AM on 07/26/2009

"When work, commitment­, and pleasure all become one
and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible­." - Unknown

Indeed, nothing is impossible -- except, perhaps, for being remembered­. It seems "inspirati­onal speaker" Nancy Coey said this. See http://www­.nancycoey­.com where she also answers one of life's great questions: "What happens when you do remove the mattress tag?"

[Anne Naylor]

01:42 AM on 07/27/2009

Dear Piet Opperman

Thank you for your comment. In the light of passion, it is remarkable what is possible.

Blessings to you,
Anne

[Katie5]

08:45 AM on 07/26/2009

Articles like this are very inspiring.­Because try as we may, we're humans and so sometimes we forget that passion that once drove us, which is why it is good to nurture the soul.
Thank you for such an uplifting article.I thoroughly enjoyed it and also gained some insight from it.

[Anne Naylor]

01:36 AM on 07/27/2009

Thank you, Katie5

I am very happy to hear you enjoyed the article. Nurturing the soul is such a good thing to do.

Blessings to you,
Anne

[Ed and Deb Shapiro]

08:05 AM on 07/26/2009

Hi Anne, Great inspiring post. You nailed it and happy to see this is one of the

"Popular Huffington Post Stories"

I love this quote:

"When work, commitment­, and pleasure all become one
and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible­."

I am humbled by the wonder of my life right now. This quote fits me well. I would add love of life love of wife and friends.

May all people be happy,

Ed

[Anne Naylor]

09:33 AM on 07/26/2009

Hi Ed,

Thank you so much - and for all the ways you extend encouragem­ent and support. You are very appreciate­d here.

I love how you write of the wonder of your life right now. Mmmmm And your great loves.

Yes, may all people be happy. I cannot imagine a greater wish.

With love and blessings to you, always all ways,
Anne

[Ed and Deb Shapiro]

12:14 PM on 07/26/2009

You are truly a * Lovely British Lady *

Happy to know you

[AngieMom57]

12:03 AM on 07/26/2009

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love."

[Anne Naylor]

08:44 AM on 07/26/2009

AngieMom57

Great to see you here - thank you for commenting­. I love the quote - it really speaks volumes to me!

With love and blessings,
Anne